Music

Music plays a major part within the ethos of our school. Our aim is to give children to pleasure of listening to and performing music in a variety of ways and sharing their developing expertise with others. We want our children to be able to express themselves as well as develop their own appreciation of music. We ensure our music lessons are fun and engaging. All of our children are actively encouraged to play an instrument and we have a number of musical opportunities for children including School Choir and numerous opportunities to perform throughout the year and take part in Medway Music Association events.

Implementation:

Children have the opportunity to acquire basic knowledge of the elements of music and make decisions about the music they hear and play. Children are introduced to music making and performing right from Nursery and this continues throughout the school. composition forms a large part of our Music curriculum and we are lucky to have such a wide range of instruments.

In Key Stage 2 children have the added benefit of a specialist teacher who teaches singing and instrument tuition. All children learn to play a musical instrument and have time to explore music from around the world, different genres and periods in history.

In addition to the music taught in school we enhance children's confidence by taking part in lots of performances including the annual Christmas Carol concert at Rochester Cathedral, Key Stage One performance at the Central Theatre, Chatham and several performances throughout the year to parents.

As a school, we follow a knowledge, skills and understanding framework from which we ensure the progress and attainment of all children. This framework also ensures that our children receive a rich and varied, progression curriculum.

Impact:

We hope that children leave Riverside with an increased interest in music and a desire to continue as a listener, performer and composer. Teachers plan interesting and varied lessons which are closely linked to our cross-curricular topics. Teachers build upon prior knowledge and skills learnt as identified in our Music progression overview. Children have opportunities to perform in a variety of ways including at end of year concerts, in performances to parents and to other year groups. Our children grow in confidence and self-esteem during these performances and every child is included and valued.